For many homeowners, moving is a frustrating nightmare, right from looking for a new home to the point of settling in it. There’s just so much to think about and do in between that it can leave you with headaches, anxiety, and stress. Not to mention, you may be required to move by your new employer or business demands on short notice, a fact that makes it even more deadening. It’s a real hassle that not many people look forward to. However, the moving process can be less daunting for you, perhaps even enjoyable if you plan early, plan right, and acquaint yourself with the various problems you’re likely to encounter, so you know how to handle and mitigate them. On this note, here are some common problems people encounter when moving to a new home.
1. Locating a Good Moving Service
Did we mention professional movers? Well, nothing helps beat the anxiety and stress associated with moving than hiring a reputable and experienced moving company to help you out or do the job for you. Actually, hiring a trustworthy moving service is the best way to deal with all the problems highlighted in this article. However, locating a mover you can trust can be a bit daunting if you don’t know what to look for. To get a good one, start by asking around from friends, colleagues, and family members as well as your online network for ideas as you also do your own research online and read reviews. Once you get a couple of recommendations, you can then narrow your options down to the one that looks more professional. For a few basic tips on picking a moving service, the company you choose should have:
- A considerable level of experience in the industry
- Proper licensure and certification
- Adequate insurance and bonding
- Online presence with a functional website that clearly describes their services
- Plenty of positive reviews and testimonials
- Excellent customer service
Once you pick a good mover, most, if not all your woes about moving could just have been solved.
2. Packing Problems
After planning and having an idea of where you’re moving to, the first and most important step is to pack your stuff in a way that they’ll be safe and easily portable. However, packing also happens to be one of the hardest tasks for many people when relocating to a new home. In essence, packing involves putting your stuff in boxes, suitcases, bags, and taping or wrapping them up so they are easy to carry. In addition to the fact that packing can be time-consuming and physically taxing, you may also encounter other packing problems.
For instance, you may not have enough packing material at your disposal. It’s also not unusual to find yourself with belongings that are delicate or fragile and have special packaging requirements that you’re not able to satisfy. Moreover, you’ll also want to make sure that you pack your belongings in a way that they’ll fit in the van, truck, or vehicle that you’ll be using in your moving. Unless you have some good packing tips when moving, you may not be able to pack strategically, and this may result in the need for more than one vehicle or moving trips, which will only add to the cost of moving. The best way to avoid packing problems is to prepare early in advance and seek advice from professional movers at least a few days before your moving date.
3. Getting Your Security Deposit Back
For rental property, some landlords and property managers are just stubborn and reluctant when it comes to returning your home’s security deposit when moving. They’ll want you to repair any damaged fixtures, repaint the home, and leave it super clean before they can give back your security deposit money. Especially if you’re moving to a different country, getting your security deposit back can be a pain in the neck. However, if you’re coming from a rental property, you can avoid incurring this loss by simply letting your landlord or management know at least more than a month before the date of your move so they can do their assessments early and the two of you can agree on the amount you’re supposed to get back.
4. Loss/Damage to Your Belongings
As earlier mentioned, moving also involves packing your fragile and delicate belongings and valuables. Depending on how and by whom they are handled, some of your dear possessions may end up missing, damaged or misplaced upon arriving at your destination home. For instance, furniture with glass surfaces may end up broken, dented, or scratched. The same case applies to electronics such as TVs, computers, and laptops, as well as expensive home appliances. Additionally, the last thing you want is to find your crucial documents such as passports, social security, contracts, birth certificates, deeds, and bank cards, missing after moving. To mitigate this problem, be sure to plan early, pack right, and work with a trusted moving service during your relocation to a new home.
5. Insufficient Knowledge of Your Destination
Before you even think about relocating, it’s important to conduct research and get as much information as you can about your destination. Be sure to know where to eat, fuel, sleep, and so forth. This way, you’ll be in a better position to adjust accordingly if by any chance, a problem occurs and you’re not able to enter and settle into your new home immediately.
6. Moving With Pets
If you’re moving with your pets, carrying them to your destination home can be a problem. After all, you could be moving into a rented apartment or condo where pets are not allowed. As a responsible pet owner, it pays to think about your furry friend before you embark on the moving process. Make sure that pets are a non-issue in your new home and that when moving; they’ll be transported in a way that is less stressful and frightening to them.
7. Addresses and Utilities
More often than not, people forget to think about their mails and utilities when moving. This often leads to inconveniences such as missed mails, missed bills, cold homes, and no water in the new home. Before you move, remember to change your address, or subscribe to mail forwarding services depending on your provider in the meantime. Remember to switch your utilities to your new address in good time to avoid inconveniences.
In summary, moving is not the simplest of tasks for any renter or homeowner. It comes with its fair share of challenges that can put a huge toll on you. However, understanding the common problems associated with moving can make your relocation process less stressful. With the above pointers in mind, your moving experience will be smooth, stress-free, and perhaps even enjoyable.